Water baptism is a declaration to the world around you that you’ve made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life, your old life is behind you, and you are a new creation in Christ. It symbolizes the transformation of your salvation. 

A baby is unable to make this decision, which is why most Protestant churches conduct baby dedication ceremonies instead. During these ceremonies, the parents dedicate their child to the Lord and commit to raise him or her according to the Word of God. 

Therefore, when you have made your own decision to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, it is important for you to be water baptized as an outward expression of that decision. Acts 2:38 says, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (NIV).

The original Greek verb baptidzo means “to immerse.” Immersion is a picture of burial. So, though some churches sprinkle or pour water in the baptismal ceremony, it is when a believer is completely submerged and then raised up out of the water that the complete story is more clearly understood. The old man is dead and buried. A new man is raised up out of the grave, reborn to live a new life by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let your decision be based on your desire to testify through the symbolism of water baptism to what took place in your life when you made Jesus your Lord. 

Listen as KCM Evangelism Minister, Riley Stephenson, shares his experience with baptism.
https://www.kcm.org/real-help/salvation/next/video-what-water-baptism